macOS Sploitlight Flaw Exposes Apple Intelligence-Cached Data to Attackers

A newly disclosed macOS vulnerability is allowing attackers to bypass Apple’s privacy controls and access sensitive user data, including files cached by Apple Intelligence. Tracked as CVE-2025-31199, the flaw was identified by Microsoft Threat Intelligence and involves a method that abuses Spotlight plugins to leak protected files.

Microsoft Threat Intelligence, which originally spotted the vulnerability, revealed the flaw and dubbed the exploit “Sploitlight” due to its abuse of Spotlight plugins. While Apple has already released a patch, the technical method behind the exploit should be concerning for macOS users, especially those using Apple’s latest AI-powered features.

It all starts with how Spotlight, macOS’s built-in search tool, handles plugins known as importers. These are designed to help index content from specific apps like Outlook or Photos.

Microsoft researchers found that attackers could modify these importers to scan and leak sensitive data from TCC-protected locations like Downloads and Pictures ...